Farmers and all who have an interest in the environment and the countryside will be aware that Wales is soon to have a new sustainable land management scheme, Glastir. Meetings have been held all over Wales to explain the new Glastir scheme and if you attended one of those meeting I’m sure many of your questions were answered. However, I know that many people were unable to attend and some people still have their concerns. Glastir will be in place from 2012 through to 2020 and beyond and will replace the existing Tir Mynydd, Tir Gofal, Tir Cynnal and Organic Farming schemes.

It will contract farmers to manage the land in a way that meets today’s challenges and priorities, including biodiversity, climate change and water management. Hopefully this new scheme will provide stability for farmers as well as delivering as much environmental benefits as possible.

There is no doubt that this scheme will bring about many changes but it will also provide new opportunities. It’s vital that we ensure that the farming community in Powys is able to adjust to these changes and take advantage of the opportunities that this scheme will provide. I know that Elin Jones, the Rural Affairs Minister, is working closely with the farming unions and other organisations to roll out an extensive training programme for farmers across Wales. This will ensure that anybody who wishes to apply to join Glastir is properly equipped to do so.

It is important that farmers who, having considered the benefits to their business and to the environment, wish to find out more or to apply to join Glastir act now. The Glastir application process begins of course with an expression of interest in the scheme on the 2010 Single Application Form (SAF). Further Information is also available on the Welsh Assembly website at www.wales.gov.uk/ruraldevelopment.